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Music done differently.Wed, 03 May 2017 10:23:36 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.2ENSEMBLE EXTRACTS 26.04.2017http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-26-04-2017/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-26-04-2017/#respondWed, 26 Apr 2017 13:50:54 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2837Ensemble Extracts brings together a collection of new music, articles, interviews, and events that grabbed our attention in the last week. So we thought we might share them with you. From how VR will affect the music industry, to boosting creativity be embracing a child-like spirit, to the Economists’ take on Kendrick Lamar’s new album, here are some interesting extracts that we think are definitely worth […]

Ensemble Extracts brings together a collection of new music, articles, interviews, and events that grabbed our attention in the last week. So we thought we might share them with you.

From how VR will affect the music industry, to boosting creativity be embracing a child-like spirit, to the Economists’ take on Kendrick Lamar’s new album, here are some interesting extracts that we think are definitely worth a read…

How Virtual Reality Will Change The Music Industry

In a blog post about virtual reality, Morgan Page talks about the affect it will have on how we create and experience music. From enhancing live performances with immersive 3D light shows, to adding a physical element to music creation, to enhancing collaboration by enabling people on opposite corners of the world to work together in a virtual studio, VR is creating exciting new opportunities in music. Read the full blog post here.

On Being Economical

On The Creative Independant, three artists talk about being economical in their art. Rafaël Rozendaal writes about how he embraces a work ethic inspired by being a kid and how this mindset cultivates a minimal life absent from stuff. Alex Da Corte writes about scaling your art and Alex Ross Perry talks about making due with what you have. Read the three pieces here.

Vinyl Takes Video Game Music Appreciation To New Levels

In an article on Kotaku.com, Ethan Gach talks about the growing trend of releasing video game soundtracks on vinyl. Is it just a retro hipster fad or a way to bring classic analog games back to life in a tangible analog format? Read the article here.

The Meaning of Kendrick Lamar

Following the release of Kendrick Lamar’s latest album DAMN, the Economist discusses Lamar’s status as “the most important rapper in America” and how this status lead to a certain expectation for his new release. It says a lot about how significant Lamar’s music has become that a highbrow publication like the Economist is writing about him. Read the article here.

Release of the week

‘Mercury’ is the second track to be released from ‘Planetarium’ an album by Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly and James McAlister. With such a star-studded cast, we are looking forward to the album release on 9th June!

:: Saturday 29.04.207 :: The Irish Composers’ Collective present their first concert of the year: Ensemble ICC – Chordophones. Six new works for string quartet written and performed by members of the collective. :: Copyright House :: Full details

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-26-04-2017/feed/0ENSEMBLE EXTRACTS 06.04.2017http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-06042017/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-06042017/#respondThu, 06 Apr 2017 14:36:00 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2797Ensemble Extracts brings together a collection of new music, articles, interviews, and events that grabbed our attention in the last week. So we thought we might share them with you. From a drum machines affect on the music industry, to a mysterious new venue promising great things, here are some interesting extracts that we think are definitely worth a read… Engineer behind Roland TR-808 Ikutaro […]

Ensemble Extracts brings together a collection of new music, articles, interviews, and events that grabbed our attention in the last week. So we thought we might share them with you.

From a drum machines affect on the music industry, to a mysterious new venue promising great things, here are some interesting extracts that we think are definitely worth a read…

Engineer behind Roland TR-808 Ikutaro Kakeshahi dies aged 87

Last weekend, on 01.04.2017, the founder of Roland Corporation Ikutaro Kakehashi died at the age of 87. Kakehashi was the engineer behind the revolutionary drum machine the Roland TR-808. In a recent article for The Verge, Zainab Hasnain describes how the 808 revolutionized music. Originally a complete flop when it was first released, the 808 is now one of the most recognisable drum sounds in music. The 808 has been used by countless artists from Whitney Houston to Kanye West. In fact, Kanye even dedicated a whole album to the sound. Read all about the 808 here.

New Dublin Venue

DBD is a new intimate venue booked by u:mack on Eustace Street in Temple Bar, Dublin (Under The Mezz). They had their launch on Friday 31.03.2017 with Wolf Eyes. Up next is Author & Punisher on Tuesday 18.04.2017. As well as KXP, Tropic of Cancer, and Melt Banana in the coming months. Like their Facebook page here.

Bridging the gender divide in music

Sounding The Feminists is a movement working to improve the gender balance within the music sector in Ireland. They recently took twitter by storm by using the hashtags #EqualityTime#HearAllComposers and sending tweets with pictures of female composers which tagged Irish venues and ensembles such as the National Concert Hall and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. This Friday, they host a meeting at which a working group will be selected to further the aims of the movement. All are invited along. RSVP to jenny.m.oconnor@gmail.com if you wish to attend. Venue :: Library, Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Dublin 8.

Irish Women in Electronic Music

Emily Carson recently wrote an article for The Greedy Pig on Irish women in Electronic music. Emily talks to some of the emerging female electronic artists about their experiences in a heavily male-dominated music scene. Read the full article featuring Dreamcycles, Lolz, ELLLL and more, here.

LOAH and Farah Elle listed as top Irish female artists

In a recent article for Lovin.ie, Sarah Layton-Lea listed 13 Irish female artists you need to listen to right now. We were very happy to see our very own LOAH among some great company on the list including Farah Elle, Rosa Nutty, AE MAK, SOULÉ among others. Read the full article here.

:: Sunday 09.04.2017 :: A once off collaboration between Young Hearts Run Free and Nialler9, From Darkness into Light is a unique BYOB gig with a secret lineup of new and established Irish Artists :: Dlight Studios :: Full details

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-06042017/feed/0Creative Ireland :: investing in the future of the arts while constraining the presenthttp://ensemble.ie/blog/change/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/change/#respondSat, 10 Dec 2016 11:10:09 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2565On Thursday the Government, The Arts Council, and other related bodies announced the “Creative Ireland Programme” – a 5 year plan for how they intend to support the arts over the coming years. You can read all about it here. For the most part, the programme is quite good. Although if you read the details a lot of it is really […]

On Thursday the Government, The Arts Council, and other related bodies announced the “Creative Ireland Programme” – a 5 year plan for how they intend to support the arts over the coming years. You can read all about it here.

For the most part, the programme is quite good. Although if you read the details a lot of it is really just a vague plan to make more plans – but that’s generally how these programmes work and so long as those plans are actually made, are good, and are executed well, that’s ok.

The Positives

There are 5 main “pillars” to the programme, of which 3 are unquestionably important and sound, those being ::

You can’t really argue with how essential each of those are, as they have been under-funded and under-resourced for decades – especially since the recession – and will have long term benefits for the arts, artists, and audiences. So fair play on those ones.

One of the other pillars – “Ireland as a Centre of Excellence in Media Production” – is understandable given Ireland’s recent successes in the film industry. But this does not mean we should prioritise extra funding or attention to this art form above all others. Film has undoubtedly been our most successful artistic export over the last few years, but these things come in waves and who is to say that another medium – say dance – could not take its place in the coming years? If anything, Irish film’s recent success shows how solid investment and specialised attention (i.e. the Irish Film Board) can help it rise above others internationally, and we should be applying the same principle to other art forms.

Prescribing Creativity

The 5th and final pillar – “Unifying Our Global Reputation” – is troubling. The programme’s website states that “Amid increasingly fierce global competition for investment, tourism and export markets, a clear articulation of a country’s values, capabilities and beliefs about itself is increasingly important.” Who exactly is going to articulate these values? Heather Humphreys? The Arts Council? John Concannon (the director of the programme)? Niall Harbison?

The website says “This pillar will involve many Government Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport, IDA Ireland, and relevant State agencies that operate at international level.” How on earth would any of these people know how Irish art and culture can and should be “unified”?

This is prescriptive and will inevitably lead to constraints on what kind of art, artists, and projects will be supported. It should not be up to these decision makers what sort of art should define Ireland, that’s the artists’ job. They’re the ones creating it, and they should be given the freedom, space, and support to do so as they see fit, otherwise they will not fulfil their, and hence Ireland’s artistic potential.

If any sort of “unifying” is to take place, it should happen organically rather than being manufactured by people who mostly know very little about the arts and are fairly disconnected from what Irish artists are really up to (which I should add is a two way problem). But so what if it doesn’t? Art is by nature diverse, as are Irish artists despite what a small country it is. We should cherish and celebrate that diversity, not try to homogenise it.

What’s Missing

We still don’t know much about how these plans, and presumably funding, will be distributed within the arts community. But we are told that “Creative Ireland as a 2016 legacy project is inspired by the extraordinary public response to the Centenary”, and it is being led by same people behind the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

While much of that programme was very good and was undoubtedly a great success, its programming was heavily dominated by the same old faces that have been knocking around for years and whose heyday has passed. I’m sorry guys – and it is mostly guys – but it’s time to step aside and make room for a younger, more diverse, brave, and exciting crop of artists to shine.

I hope that’s what we begin to see over the coming years, because other than a handful of limited bursaries (e.g. the Arts Council’s Next Generation Bursary, which is limited to 15 recipients each year) and a couple of seed programmes which can only take on very small numbers (e.g. Rough Magic’s excellent Seeds Programme, which only has space for a half dozen or so theatre makers every 2 years), there is currently virtually nothing for emerging artists in terms of funding, support, or mentorship. Instead they have to make do with the dole, unpaid work/internships, and emigration.

That’s not to mention the artists whose genres are largely ignored by the funding system, e.g. hip-hop, street art, fashion design, and many other relatively new art forms that our decision makers don’t seem to realise exist or consider to be “worthy” of funding just yet. If arts funding is to increase significantly over the coming years, this major imbalance must be redressed.

Continuing the debate

I have focused on the negative and the unanswered questions here, and I do think there is much to celebrate in this programme – as I said 3 out of 5 of its pillars are to be applauded, maybe even 4. But we shouldn’t just settle for that – and even its positives still need to be implemented, and implemented well.

Some people may question why I would criticise what is broadly a step in the right direction. We have an unfortunate tendency in the arts community, and in Ireland in general, to take a black or white stance towards our institutions and policies – either agreeing/supporting things wholeheartedly or lambasting them completely, when the truth usually lies somewhere in between.

The programme and the institutions behind it – like anything – have their flaws, and even if they’re headed in the right direction those flaws still need to be addressed so that we can ultimately strive for a (near) perfect system. Just because I’m pointing those out doesn’t mean I think they’re all bad, or am trying to viciously attack the people behind it.

So all of us in the arts community – who care deeply about the arts in Ireland but see the flaws in how it is funded and supported – need to make our voices heard and hold our decision makers to account on these issues. With all due respect, I know there are plenty who agree with these sentiments – who either smile and nod publicly while tearing their hair out in private, or else who refuse to engage with the arts establishment in exasperation and just do their own thing. Both are understandable, but I’m sorry to say that neither of these attitudes or approaches will result in any sort of improvement or real change in how funding, opportunities, and resources are allocated.

Jo Mangan and The National Campaign For The Arts have done great work over the last couple of years to push the government in the right direction, but their work is not done. I’d urge anyone who cares about these issues to get involved with them and speak out about both the positives and flaws in how the arts are supported. I realise many don’t because they fear it might affect their own opportunities in future, but we need to have these discussions and the more we all do it – in a constructive, thoughtful way – the more normalised these conversations will become.

It doesn’t need to be a vicious argument or an attack on the system, it’s called a debate. And this isn’t a debate between whether or not to fund the arts, it’s on how best to fund them. Debates can have multiple voices, and this one is just beginning, so don’t be afraid to make your voice heard. Nice one.

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/change/feed/0HOW MUSIC WORKS :: Interview with Nialler9/ The Irish Timeshttp://ensemble.ie/blog/mobdro-download-app/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/mobdro-download-app/#respondWed, 22 Jun 2016 11:39:40 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2418Our director Rob Farhat spoke to Nialler9 for Irish Times Culture‘s “How Music Works” series about his musical background, why we started Ensemble, and what the hell we’ve been up to and plan on getting up to since. “In order to attract a younger, wider audience, you do need to bring the presentation into the 21st century… It’s a way […]

Our director Rob Farhat spoke to Nialler9 for Irish Times Culture‘s “How Music Works” series about his musical background, why we started Ensemble, and what the hell we’ve been up to and plan on getting up to since.

“In order to attract a younger, wider audience, you do need to bring the presentation into the 21st century… It’s a way of challenging perceptions of what contemporary music can be.”

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/mobdro-download-app/feed/0Ensemble Ériu’s IMBAS and the importance of recordshttp://ensemble.ie/blog/the-importance-of-records/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/the-importance-of-records/#respondMon, 20 Jun 2016 15:40:02 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2471This is a record. Well, not just any record. It happens to be the test pressing for Ensemble Ériu / Ensemble Music’s new record “Imbas”, which is out this Friday. But more importantly, it is a record. To state the obvious, we started a record label because I love music. But more specifically, I love listening to great music in […]

This is a record.

Well, not just any record. It happens to be the test pressing for Ensemble Ériu / Ensemble Music’s new record “Imbas”, which is out this Friday. But more importantly, it is a record.

To state the obvious, we started a record label because I love music. But more specifically, I love listening to great music in full albums, from start to finish, without doing anything else – preferably on vinyl.

It’s a ritual, it’s an ACTUAL experience, and we don’t do enough of it these days. In an internet age where everything is available immediately, much of which is ephemeral, it’s hard to find the time to actually sit down and LISTEN to music. When we stick a playlist on via Spotify in the background while we do some work (or whatever), we’re HEARING it but we’re not really listening.

And don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with that. The more we all listen to music the better, and services like Spotify make it way easier to discover new music – though ideally they would pay artists more. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also take the time to actually sit down and listen.

People still go to the cinema and the theatre, they read books, play video games, etc. etc. – all of which are done (mostly) with our complete, undivided attention. Music is just as valid, rich, and rewarding an art form as any of these, and yet we don’t give it the time and attention it deserves.

So, that’s why we not only started a label, but one that releases music on vinyl – even though it makes almost no financial or rational sense whatsoever. It’s a format that almost forces you to give it your undivided attention. Playing a record on vinyl is almost like an event in itself. It requires effort. And it’s hugely rewarding as a result, especially when the music is incredible.

With that in mind, at 5.30pm today we’re holding a “listening party” for Ensemble Ériu’s “Imbas” in our good friend Emmet / HomeBeat’s lovely Thirty Four cafe on Lennox Street in Portobello. It’ll be quite small and informal, but all are welcome and it’s completely free in. We hope to do the same for Loah’s first record which will be out later this year, and we’d encourage other labels, collectives, etc. to follow suit too :-]

The wonderful music blog Fractured Air have also just premiered the album in full, and you can listen to it here!

Some of you may not have heard of Fractured Air (though hopefully most of you have!), but it is an absolute gem of a music blog that just cares about exceptional music and nothing else, and dedicates itself to really exploring the music and musicians it covers. Kudos to the Carry brothers in Cork, it’s longform music writing at its best, and we’re extremely proud to be partnering with them once again to introduce this record to the world in full, after having done the same for our dear friend Conor Walsh’s EP back in October.

The record comes out on Friday, and in our humble opinion Ensemble Ériu and this album are the next step in the evolution of Irish traditional music – sounding like a cross between The Gloaming, <a href="http://www.stevereich.com/" target="_blank" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page .php?id=117345248313831&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D”>Steve Reich, and Tortoise. But have a listen and see for yourself sure.

On a more sombre note, this record has been the saving grace in what has been a very difficult and traumatic year for Ensemble and the music community in general, after our dear artist and friend Conor Walsh passed away suddenly in March. After he died and once we started trying to get back to normality, this record was the first thing that cheered us up. And as difficult as his passing was, it somehow spurred us on to do even more for our other artists. This record is the first result of that, and I’m incredibly proud to be a small part of it.

Anyway, I could go on, but that’s probably enough to say about it for now. If you like what you hear of the album, or just feel like supporting these incredible artists and our little corner of organised chaos that is Ensemble Music, do pop along later, or buy the album, or come along to one of the launch gigs this weekend [which are listed below].

But more importantly, just listen to a great record from start to finish, without doing anything else. You won’t regret it. Nice one.

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/the-importance-of-records/feed/0Everything you need to know about ENSEMBLE ÉRIU’S “IMBAS”http://ensemble.ie/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ensemble-erius-imbas/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ensemble-erius-imbas/#respondWed, 15 Jun 2016 11:37:33 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2417We’re extremely proud to be releasing Ensemble Ériu‘s stunning second album “Imbas” on Friday 24.06.2016, a joint release with our friends at Raelach Records and the 2nd release on our label, following on from the debut EP by our dear friend, the late Conor Walsh. Here’s everything you need to know about it in one single Facebook post… :: BACKGROUND […]

We’re extremely proud to be releasing Ensemble Ériu‘s stunning second album “Imbas” on Friday 24.06.2016, a joint release with our friends at Raelach Records and the 2nd release on our label, following on from the debut EP by our dear friend, the late Conor Walsh. Here’s everything you need to know about it in one single Facebook post…

:: BACKGROUND ::

“Imbas” – an old Irish word connected with inspiration and creativity – has been 3 years in the making, consisting of 6 tracks arranged by bandleaders Neil and Jack which the band began crafting, performing, and refining immediately after releasing their first album in 2013.

The album and band feature a wide range of instruments performed by some of the finest musicians in the country from a number of diverse musical backgrounds. They are ::

:: CHEWNS ::

A couple of weeks ago our friend Nialler9 premiered the first track from album – called “The Tempest” – which you can listen to on Soundcloud right here

Today the good folks at GoldenPlec.com Music News have premiering a second track – “The Yellow Wattle” – which you can check out here

This weekend the band and album will be the main focus of Ellen Cranitch’s magical The Purple Vespertine radio show on RTÉ lyric fm, so be sure to tune into that if you’re not at Body&Soul.

Then next week the wonderful Fractured Air blog will be premiering the album in full, in advance of its release on the Friday. Fractured Air also premiered our first release, and we’re very proud to be partnering with them again on this.

We’ll also be hosting a small gathering of avid listeners to get a preview of the album on vinyl at a listening event at 5pm on Tuesday 21.06.2016 in our friends HomeBeat‘s Thirty Four cafe [which also happens to host our own HQ]. All welcome! :-]

Plus we have plenty more dates planned around the rest of the country and further afield later this year too…

:: THE RECORD ::

The album will be out on Friday 24.06.2016 on digital, CD, and vinyl. Naturally you’ll be able to listen to it on Spotify and all the other streaming behemoths, but if we may say so this album cries out to be heard on vinyl, or at least on CD.

The beautiful concentric circle based artwork was designed by the band’s longtime collaborator Robin Fuller, and just wait till you see the packaging… Trust us, you won’t regret picking up a physical copy. [you can check out a little preview of what the vinyl will look like below]

You’ll be able to do so at any of their gigs and in all good record stores, and you can also order one online via bandcamp at ::

:: ENSEMBLE ÉRIU :: IMBAS ::

That’s about all we have to say for now, except that in our humble opinion IMBAS marks a significant step forward not just for the band, but for Irish traditional music in general. We can’t wait to share it with you.

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ensemble-erius-imbas/feed/0Dublin Creative Review :: Episode 27 with Robhttp://ensemble.ie/blog/dublin-creative-review-episode-27-with-rob/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/dublin-creative-review-episode-27-with-rob/#respondFri, 27 May 2016 14:11:38 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2454Sebastian Stephenson speaks to our director Rob Farhat about how we are moving to become a record label and what that means. They discuss what kind of sound Ensemble looks for (genre fusion-ing is not it), our collaborations with artists and more. Listen to it below!

Sebastian Stephenson speaks to our director Rob Farhat about how we are moving to become a record label and what that means. They discuss what kind of sound Ensemble looks for (genre fusion-ing is not it), our collaborations with artists and more.

Listen to it below!

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/dublin-creative-review-episode-27-with-rob/feed/0The importance of BLOCK T and why they deserve your supporthttp://ensemble.ie/blog/the-importance-of-block-t-and-why-they-deserve-your-support/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/the-importance-of-block-t-and-why-they-deserve-your-support/#respondMon, 16 May 2016 15:58:11 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2475As you may or may not know, a few months ago the wonderful creative community that is BLOCK T had to vacate their original premises which housed them for almost 6 years due to rising rents. You may also know that they have now found a new, albeit more modest premises in Dublin 8, which they are currently moving into […]

As you may or may not know, a few months ago the wonderful creative community that is BLOCK T had to vacate their original premises which housed them for almost 6 years due to rising rents. You may also know that they have now found a new, albeit more modest premises in Dublin 8, which they are currently moving into and raising funds for. I called in a couple of weeks ago for a catch up and to see what it was like, and it’s got a huge amount of potential.

It’s safe to say that Ensemble wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for Laura, Grace, Nick, Dave, and everyone at BLOCK T’s support. We wouldn’t have got off to the great start we did, and arguably we wouldn’t now have the likes of Loah performing in New York and elsewhere, and we would never have released Conor Walsh‘s record, with more to come. But to explain why, first I’ve got to point out how little support there is for arts-based / creative companies in Ireland.

If you start a company that isn’t export-driven, or part of the latest business fad – i.e. tech, a bubble that will soon deflate if not burst completely – you are essentially on your own and have no state support in this country. For in the eyes of the Irish state, a “startup” can only mean a “tech startup” – somehow I missed that part in the definition of the word startup but apparently it’s in there somewhere.

For a new arts-based company, all there really is in terms of support is a decent little scheme called the “Back to Work Enterprise Allowance”, which allows you to collect the dole for 2 years if you start your own company, regardless of how much money you make. But of course, because this is Ireland and even a good idea by the State has to be implemented badly, you can only get onto this scheme if you’ve already been receiving social benefits for a year. *eyeroll*

Our government go on about how Ireland is the best small country in the world to do business, but by that he only means if you’re a big multinational company in tech, pharmaceuticals, etc. If you’re a small business whose focus is on the arts or something creative – yet still create jobs and work for people, appeal to tourists, export goods and services, etc. – forget about it.

Anyway, the point of this post isn’t to complain about how unsupportive the state is of businesses like ours, but to point out how supportive BLOCK T is. When we started Ensemble, they were immediately there for us, helping us with a business plan, our launch, finances, branding, making connections, and a whole lot more. And they looked for nothing in return. Where the state fails to support us and many others like us, they succeed. And needless to say they have almost no funding or state support themselves either.

There are others like them, but none are quite as successful or on the ball. They have made a huge difference to countless artists and arts organisations in Ireland, put on thousands of incredible events and exhibitions, created jobs, generated tourism, and contributed millions to the Irish economy. And yet they had to vacate their wonderful original home.

BUT they didn’t moan about it, as would be natural and understandable in their situation. They understand we live in a capitalist economy, and when the economy picks up rents will rise [not that that’s the way it should be]. Instead they’ve remained constructive, positive, and are looking forward to their next chapter, which we’re confident will be even greater and more impactful than their first.

So they’re running a crowdfunding campaign to help get said next chapter off the ground. I’m generally quite selective over the kind of crowdfunding campaigns I support. I strongly believe they should be used to “kickstart” a project [as was the original intention with them], not to fill a hole due to bad business practices, and especially not to keep a lagging business going. Usually, I would not be into the idea of using crowdfunding for a company or project that has been around for 6 years.

But this is different. This is a hugely successful, impactful, and supportive company, who due to no fault of their own have to start things over almost from scratch. If that doesn’t deserve some of your hard earned money, I don’t know what does, and I have no doubt they will be prove themselves to be very worthy of it in the coming years.

So please support our wonderful friends, collaborators, and mentors BLOCK T by donating to their crowdfunding campaign.

Thank you Block T, we’d be nothin’ without you!

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/the-importance-of-block-t-and-why-they-deserve-your-support/feed/0Remembering Conor Walshhttp://ensemble.ie/blog/remembering-conor-walsh/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/remembering-conor-walsh/#respondMon, 18 Apr 2016 11:34:27 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2415With the overwhelming amount of messages of love and emotion shared over the past few weeks about our dear friend Conor Walsh, we wanted to collect all of these loving thoughts in one place and share it with you. As many took to social media to express their feelings on what happened and recounted their memories of him, we’ve accumulated […]

With the overwhelming amount of messages of love and emotion shared over the past few weeks about our dear friend Conor Walsh, we wanted to collect all of these loving thoughts in one place and share it with you.

As many took to social media to express their feelings on what happened and recounted their memories of him, we’ve accumulated all the posts about Conor since his passing and put them together in this collection via Storify.

Do take your time to read through them, reflect, and remember this wonderful man and artist.

Thanks everyone.

]]>http://ensemble.ie/blog/remembering-conor-walsh/feed/0ENSEMBLE EXTRACTS #2 ::http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-2/
http://ensemble.ie/blog/ensemble-extracts-2/#respondTue, 08 Mar 2016 15:00:29 +0000http://ensemble.ie/?p=2243The stunning photography/narrative series, created by journalist Louise Bruton and photographer Ruth Medjber, is currently residing in Homebeat’s café Thirty Four on Lennox Street. In her article in The Irish Times, Louise Bruton describes how the series celebrates some of the incredible women in the Irish music industry, such as Soak, Heathers, sister Loah and Feather, and Sorcha Brennan from Sleep Thieves. Feeling like […]

The stunning photography/narrative series, created by journalist Louise Bruton and photographer Ruth Medjber, is currently residing in Homebeat’s café Thirty Four on Lennox Street. In her article in The Irish Times, Louise Bruton describes how the series celebrates some of the incredible women in the Irish music industry, such as Soak, Heathers, sister Loah and Feather, and Sorcha Brennan from Sleep Thieves. Feeling like “there is a noticeable absence of female musicians being celebrated at a professional level”, they “want to showcase the phenomenal women in the creative industries in Ireland”. We couldn’t agree more.

Read Bruton’s full article in The Irish Times here and check out the exhibition in 34 Lennox Street all this week.

In a recent article for Noisey, Dan Ozzi puts forward an interesting argument questioning the relevance of the opinion of ‘professional’ critics nowadays. Album reviews once carried a lot of weight, but that importance has now shifted and is shared over the many different platforms out there. Are the critics playing catch-up to the 18 year old on Twitter with a legion of followers?

As a response to Ozzi’s article in Noisey, Geoff Nelson puts forward 5 different reasons why the album review will never die for Consequence of Sound. Presenting the idea that we are left to consider the new complexity of qualitative judgments in an era of democratic technology, and in citing Oscar Wilde that criticism is a ‘sustaining element for art’, we are forced to consider both sides of the debate.

It can be difficult for a listener to know if one’s own music taste has been self-made or has been moulded by the countless services that supply us with music. In Every Song Ever: Twenty Ways to Listen in an Age of Musical Plenty, author Ben Ratliff presents 20 essays that explore listening in terms of ‘sound’ rather than ‘genre’. In one case comparing the musical qualities of classical composer Franz Liszt to hip-hop duo Outkast, this is a very interesting and thought-provoking read.

Space is central to the experience of sound, and one truly special space hidden in Dublin is Dlight Studios. While recently attending Lubomyr Melnyk‘s performance hosted by our good pals at Homebeat, the magic of his playing combined with the natural acoustics of the space created a truly unique sonic experience. This old factory turned studio is on our doorstep and should be celebrated for its unique qualities, to maximize its own potential and the potential of the music that could be showcased there.

Photo courtesy of Homebeat ::

While performing Steve Reich’s ‘Piano Phase’ on harpsichord at a concert in Cologne, Iranian harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani was jeered, whistled and hissed at by certain members of the 1800-strong crowd. Lizzie Dearden of the Independent describes how on realising the response from the crowd, Esfahani stopped, took to the microphone and asked ‘What are you afraid of?’.

In a response on Slipped Disc, Esfahani explains how he feels the people of Cologne should be proud to live in a city where its people participate so actively in culture. That the harpsichord inspired passion, opinion and total order breaking down is ‘indescribably awesome’ according to Esfahani.

Read the full report from The Independent here, and Esfahani’s response via Slipped Disc here.

Described as a “knockout, the kind that makes you see cartoon stars” by Laura Snapes for Pitchfork, Meredith’s debut album Varmints inventivelycombines synthesisers with acoustic instrumentation to create a subtle electronic pop sensibility. From the bold brass fanfares of ‘Nautilus’ to the subtle atmospheric feel of instrumental ‘Blackfriars’, it’s a different side to the typically classical composer, and we absolutely recommend a listen ::

:: Monday 14.03.2016 :: Dulciana choir present Theotoke, performing some of the finest Marian music of the 20th and 21st Centuries, including music by Holst, Tavener, Durufle and Biebl, and Irish composers Eibhlís Farrell, Eoghan Desmond and Raeghnya Zutshi, alongside selections of other devotional music :: Freemasons’ Hall :: Full details